Tips to Maintain Your Roof
The typical shingle roof will last 20 years, more or less depending on storm damage and natural wear and tear. Other roofing materials can last longer, but they are also more expensive to install.
The amount and level of care you give your roof along the way can shorten or extend the time between new roof replacements. If you play your cards right, you might end up only having to install a new roof on your home once in your lifetime, just so long as you give it the care it needs.
Roof replacement is very expensive no matter the type of roof. You’re better off doing maintenance and minor repairs as they arise in order to extend the lifetime of your home’s roof.
If you are not confident in your roofing abilities – or just don’t like the idea of climbing a ladder – you can find a licensed, certified roofer in Conroe to help you with all your maintenance and roof repair needs.
PREVENTATIVE ROOF CARE
Doing projects to prevent most roof damage before it happens is by far the cheapest route to extend the lifetime of your home’s roof. Here are a few preventative care measures for your home’s roof:
Cut limbs that hang over your roof. Gusting winds and rain storms can break limbs and even knock over whole trees. Rotting, dying trees can also drop their heavy branches right onto your roof if they are not pruned. Falling limbs destroy all types of roofs, including asphalt shingles and even metal roofs.
Install gutter guards. Gutter guards are metal or mesh covers installed over your gutters to reduce clogging. They can limit the amount of gutter cleaning that you have to do and prevent rain flowing into your landscaping. You can install gutter guards on your own or leave the work to a roofer or gutter cleaning service in Conroe.
Have routine inspections. Shingles begin to lose asphalt granules after a few years, and metal roofs will be dented or begin to show signs of age such as rust or tarnish. Having regular inspections done by a pro can let you know if there’s an issue that needs to be handled.
Apply a roof coating. Roof coatings replenish the oils from roof shingles so they don’t dry out, helping your roof last 5 years or more beyond its expected lifetime. There are regular and plant-based options so you can feel safe about applying these products on your home, where they will inevitably run off and possibly come in contact with your children, pets and landscaping.
Make sure your insulation and ventilation system are in excellent condition. Too much or too little insulation can create a condensation issue. Lack of ventilation can cause trapped moisture. This can quickly result in mold and mildew growth, as well as odors throughout your home. Besides being a nuisance, mold and mildew will wreak havoc on wood and other home materials, weakening your home’s structure.
ROUTINE ROOF MAINTENANCE
Every once in a while, you’ll need to complete some general maintenance on your home’s roof. If this is done regularly, you’ll prevent leaks and extend the lifetime of your roof, regardless of the materials it’s made from.
Do these things at least once a year to prevent damages and keep your home’s roof looking nice:
Roof cleaning. Cleaning a roof removes debris, mold and dirt. This will limit the risk of pests and rodents building nests on your home’s roof, and it will instantly renew the curb appeal. ACC Conroe Pressure Washing offers roof cleaning in Conroe as one of our services.
Gutter cleaning. Cleaning out the gutters is a necessary part of home ownership. Check your gutters often, especially while it’s raining, to observe if there are any clogs that have to be removed. Most companies recommend gutter cleaning once in the spring and again in the fall season.
Remove moss. If moss begins to grow, it means that your roof is shaded and stays very moist. Moss’s roots can attach to roof shingles and other materials and ruin them if it isn’t gotten rid of quickly. Many homeowners choose to have a professional service do this so no unnecessary damage is done in the process.
MINOR ROOF REPAIRS
Damages will happen, but so long as you tend to them quickly, no serious issues should result. If you are a handyman, you might feel confident enough doing minor roof repairs yourself. But if not, professional roofing companies in Conroe are more than willing to complete these fast fixes for you to keep your roof in good shape.
Replace damaged or worn shingles. Shingles have asphalt pieces attached to them. The texture can be removed from the shingles by debris, hail or heavy rain storms. These asphalt chunks help to protect your home’s roof. If they start coming off, the roof will begin to look worn, but, more importantly, it won’t protect what’s below. Only a small section needs to be re-shingled if the damage is superficial.
Replace fascia. Sometimes, the section of your home’s roof that rests between the roof material and the top of the exterior wall (called the fascia) will also have to be replaced. The fascia can leak, letting mold and mildew into your home, let alone pests.
Re-caulk around the flashings. Flashings fill in gaps on the roof where it is hard to place roofing material. It’s the most common location for leaks on a roof, and it is very easily damaged. If more extensive work is necessary, replacing the flashing is also an easy project for roofers and proficient homeowners as well.
YOUR ROOF NEEDS LOVE TOO!
The roof is one of the most expensive home maintenance costs. With the typical lifetime of a roof being between 20 and 30 years, you will likely only have to install a new one once or twice. Of course, if you move often, you might end up installing a lot of roofs during your lifetime.
When purchasing a new home, a roof inspection is definitely worth your time. You can also include the cost of a new roof – if one is needed – in the closing costs or ask that the home seller has the roof replaced before the sale. When trying to sell a home, give ACC Conroe Pressure Washing a call for professional roof cleaning in Conroe to improve curb appeal for potential buyers.